Core lifting and setting fixture



Dec. 22, 1953 M. E. LENTz ET AL f 663,058

CORE LIFTING AND SETTING FIXTURE n Filed April 6, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet lk 1'@- ,n gf T.;

Dec 22, 1.953 M. E. LENTZ ET AL 2,663,058

CORE LIFTING AND SETTING FIXTURE Filed April 6, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 nuentors Dec.22, 1953 M. E. LENTz ET AL 2,663,058

CORE LIFTING AND SETTING FIXTURE Filed April 6, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 YIIIIIIIIl/IIIA De- 22, 1953 M. E. LENTz E11-AL 2,663,053`

CORE LIFTING AND SETTING FIXTURE Filed April e, 1951 4 sheets-sheet 4 :inventors E W YEttornegs Patented Dec. 22, 1953 c;

FFICE CORE LIFTING AND SETTING FIXTURE Marshall E. Lentz and Arthur J. Anderson, Bedford, Ind., and Hubert L. Drifill, deceased, late of Anderson, Ind., by Cleacn Wantland, executrix, Anderson,

Ind.,4 assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application April 6, 1951, Serial No. 219,724

14 Claims.

This invention has to do with a device for lifting and setting a plurality of elements forming a circular series or assembly thereof.

There are numerous instances in which it is desirable to be able to handle as a unit a circular series of parts as by lifting the same from one position and locating the saine in a second position. For example, in handling a circular series of cores, the several cores making up the series can be accurately arranged or placed in one fixture and then the entire series lifted as a unit and placed in a mold, whereupon when the cores are released they are properly located and arranged in a circular series in the mold. The present invention is primarily concerned with an improved device for lifting and setting a plurality of parts making up a circular series of parts, and is especially adapted to handle a circular series or assembly of cores.

Reference is herewith made to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodi- Yments of the invention in which:

Figure 1 is a view substantially on line I--l in Figure 2 with parts broken away showing a device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view taken substantially on line A 2 2 of Figure 1 with parts broken away to show the lconstruction more clearly.

Figure 3 is an elevational View taken on line v3--3 of Figure 1 with parts broken away to show form of the device. I

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the devl of Figure 5v and showing the plurality of circularly arranged cores as lifted from the lower fixture and in a tilted position.

Referring especially to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the reference numeral l represents a lower iiX- ture having a circularly arranged channel l2 which in turn has a cut-away portion I4 in the outer wall thereof. The lower fixture also has a circular flange l5 thereon. The circularly arranged channel is adapted to have placed therein 'apluralityof cores represented by referencechar.- ,k I.

acter I8. Due to the angular shape of the several cores it is necessary to have the cut-away portion It in order that the last core may be inserted in the channel in order to make a complete circular series thereof. The reference characters 2t represent spaces between the several cores intermediate the ends thereof which will form a circularly arranged series of vanes in a metal or other article which later on will be .cast in a mold having the circular series of cores therein.

Above the lower fixture and the circular series of cores is a core lifting' and setting fixture represented generally by thereference numerai 22. The fixture 22 comprises a generally annular member 25 having three downwardly extending legs 26 at 120 intervals which in turn have removably secured thereto tapered plates 28 by means of screws 36. The plates 26 contact the lower fixture on corresponding tapered surfaces 32 on said lower xture. 4At the lower face of the member 24 is an annular member 3i which has an arcuate shaped surface 35 adapted to support a resilient member such as a collapsible rubber hose 38. As is apparent from Figures l and 2, the rubber hose is in the shape of a circle y surrounding the circular series of cores. The hose also is circular in cross-section. In the position of the parts shown in Figures 1 and 2 the inner circumference of the rubber hose or tube is slightly greater than that of the outer circumference of the circular series of cores so that it is vout of engagement therewith. Supporting the annular member 34 are four screws iii eX- tending upwardly through mein-ber 2li. The screws 40 are connected in pairs to transversely extending rods 42. The two transverse rods 42 act as pivots for links nl having at the outer ends thereof, cam surfaces it and at their inner ends elongated slots 58. Secured to the upper face of the annular member 2d by means of screws 56 is an inverted U-haped member 52. The sides of the member 52 are slotted at 5d and the links 44 extend through these slots. Also adapted to move in the slots 5d are guide members 523 which are secured to a handle member 60 by means of screws 62. Member t also has a depending portion tli and a horizontally extending portion 56. Opposite ends of the portion are cut-away at 63 to receive the inner end of each of the links 44. Pins l@ extend erosswise of the members BS and pass through the elongated slots 48 in the inner ends of the links d4. Extending downwardly from the lower face of the circular memberm is anannular ilange l2. This flange 3 is adapted to engage the inner periphery of the plurality of circularly arranged cores.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention yshown in Figures l to 4 inclusive, will now be described. The operator having ilrst arranged the plurality of cores in a circle in the channel in the lower fixture then places the upper nature Z2 over the lower nxture and with the annular flange 'l2 engaging the inner faces of the upper ends of the plurality of cores. By means of the corresponding tapered plates 2S on the three lugs on the core lifting and setting fixture cooperating with the tapered surface 32 on the lower fixture the device is accurately located in the proper position. At this stage in the operation the handle member and the links lll and annular member 3d are in the positions shown in Figure 1. The operator then raises the member til into the position shown in Figure Il. This movement raises the inner ends of the links le which in turn raises the annular member 34 until it contacts the lower face l5 of member 2li and squeezes the rubber hose 35 between the arcuate surface 35 and the lower face of the member 2d. This causes the inner periphery of the rubber hose to be deformed or decreased in circumference so as to grip the outer periphery of the plu rality of circularly arranged cores, thus securing the same between the rubber hose and the annular flange l2 which depends downwardly from the member Ell. With the parts in this position the p-lurality of assembled cores are lifted by the upper xture 22 from the channel in lower fnoture Ill and the circular assembly of cores may then be transferred to a mold. The mold may have a corresponding tapered surface for cooperation with the tapered lugs 28 on the ilxture to locate the fixture 22 in proper position relative to the mold. rlhe member @D is then moved downwardly and this movement lowers members 3.4 and the rubber hose carried thereby whereby the rubber hose assumes its original circular shape in cross section to release the circular assembly of cores.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated 1n Figures 5 and 6 is generally similar to that cf the embodiment shown in Figures l toe and similar are represented by the saine reference numerals as in Figures l to 4 inclusive. In Figures 5 and 7, 25.- represents a circular member having a downwardly extending flange 'l2 of greater length than the ange in the first modification and the inner periphery 'i3 of the flange is adapted to engage an upwardly extending portion lf-l of the lower fixture E@ in order to locate the upper and lower fixtures in proper positions relative to one another. ln Figures 5 and 7 the lower fixture does not have the tapered surface which cooperates with the tapered plates 28 on the three downwardly depending legs 26. Figure 7 shows the device of Figure 5 with the core lifting xture having been removed from the lower ilxture and showing the manner in which the plurality of assembled cores is removed as a unit, whereby the same may then be moved by the operator and the several cores located and released in a mold in this same circularly arranged position.

Figure 6 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment the central portion of the lower fixture Ill is cut-away as 4represented at 15. In this form also the upper fixture 22 has a wear plate Si! which is secured to the fixture by means of screws 82. In this form also the links 44 are reversed or inverted as compared with the form shown in Figures. 1 to v5 inelusive and 7. Adjustable screw means 813 are employed to locate the position of member 5t relative to that of the portion 24. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure d the upper and lower fixtures are located with respect to one another in generally the same manner as that which is employed with the construction of Figures l to 4 inclusive.

Various changes and modifications of the enibodiments of the invention described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention. i

We claim:

l. A device of the class described for lifting a plurality of articles arranged in a circular series having an inner peripheral surface and an outer Aperipheral surface, comprising a member having Lli) Yplurality of articles arranged in a circular series and having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising a member having circularly arranged flange for engaging one of said peripheral surfaces of circular series of articles, a circularly arranged resilient member adapted to engage the other peripheral surface of said circular series of articles and means for deforniing said resilient member to contact said other peripheral surface and grip the series of articles between the flange and said resilient member.

3. A device of the class described for lifting a circularly arranged series of articles having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising a member having a downwar ly depending flange for engaging one of said peripheral surfaces of said circularly arranged se ies of articles, a hollow, collapsible rubber hose surrounding the other of said peripheral surfaces of said circularly arranged series of articles, and means for deforming said hose to contact other peripheral surface and grip the circularly arranged series between the flange and said hose.

ll. A device of the class described for lifting a circularly arranged series of articles having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising a first member having a downwardly depending flange for engaging the inner peripheral surface of said circularly arranged series of articles, a hollow, collapsible hose surrounding the outer peripheral surface of said circularly arranged series of articles, an annularly arranged member for locating and supporting said collapsible hose beneath said first member and means for moving said annular member and collapsible hose upward relatively to said first member until the hose contacts the lower surface of said first member and is deformed thereby to cause the circularly arranged series of articles to be gripped between the downwardly extending flange and said collapsible hose.

5. A device of the class described for lifting a plurality of articles arranged in a circular series having an .inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising a member having a downwardly extending circularv ange for en- :ods f, forminggpivota connected t" said and eans for yraising'th'ejinriler ends of said links whereby the cams lift'fth'eannular,mernbelhhm viardly''towardth lower facepf said firstfriend--`` ber thereby collapsing the rubber'hoseandcausing ,-thesanieto squeezethe plurality .cicireularly arranged 'articles' against the piilcularlx arranged flange whereby v' the`plurality *off assembled cores may theribe raised as a unit. ;:1"

x62 iniga gdevice vof, the .Class described, yy r xturehavirrg anannulargroove therein? Within which may be located a circular series of cores having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, an upper fixture above said lower fixture and having a circular, downwardly extending flange adapted to engage the inner peripheral surface of the circular series of cores, a pair of link members above said second fixture having cam surfaces at their outer ends thereof and slotted portions at the inner ends thereof, a pair of transversely extending rods about which a pair of cam links are pivoted, means connected to opposite ends of each of said rods extending downwardly through said first member, an annular member at the lower surface of said first member supported by said last mentioned means, said arcuate member having a curved annular portion adapted to Asup-port a circular rubber hose, a circular rubber hose surrounding the outer peripheral surface of said circular series of cores and carried by said annular member and a member adapted to be grasped by the hand of the operator connected to the slots in the inner ends of the link members by means of a pin whereby, when the handle member is raised, the cam surfaces contact the upper face of the first member and raise the annular member and hose carried thereby until they contact the lower surface of said upper fixture and the rubber hose is collapsed to thereby engage the outerperipheral surface of the circular series of cores and squeeze the same against the downwardly depending flange.

7. An apparatus for lifting a plurality of circularly arranged series of articles having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising a resilient member of circular shape, the normal circumference of said resilient member being slightly different than that of a corresponding circumference of said circular series of' articles, means contacting one of said peripheral surfaces of said circular series of articles and means for deforming said resilient member of circular shape to change the circumference thereof so as to contact said peripheral surface and grip the circular series of articles between said means contacting said one of said peripheral surfaces of said circular series of articles and said resilient member whereby the circular series of articles may be lifted as a unit.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7 in which the resilient member is a rubber hose.

9.An apparatus for locating and handling a circular series of articles comprising a lower fixture having an annular groove within which may be located a circular series of articles having an `pivoted on said. rods 10i circula spas@ autres tin ndmeasir defermingsaiu etact'aed, vsur 'the cirfjlXA vfor a ul series Yof nular groove within which may be arranged a circular series of articles having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface and an upper fixture generally above said lower fixture, said fixtures having cooperating means thereon for locating the upper fixture in a desired position relative to the lower fixture and circular series of articles, said upper fixture having a first portion for engaging one of said peripheral surfaces of the circularly arranged series of articles, elastic means adapted to engage the other of said peripheral surfaces of said circularly arranged series of articles and means to deform the elastic member to thereby grip said circular series of articles between said first portion and said resilient means so that the entire circular series of parts may be lifted as a unit from the annular groove in said lower fixture.

12. An apparatus for lifting as a unit a plurality of articles arranged in a circular series having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising a first member having a downwardly extending circular iiange for engaging one of said peripheral surfaces of said plurality of circularly arranged articles, a resilient member of circular shape conforming generally with the other of said peripheral surfaces but normally out cf engagement therewith, an annulus for supporting said resilient member beneath said first member, mechanism connected to the annulus extending upwardly through said rst member and means connected to the last mentioned means for raising it and the annulus and resilient member carried thereby to bring the resilient member into contact with the undersurface of said first mentioned member to deform the resilient member so that it engages said other peripheral surface of said circular series of articles.

1.3. An apparatusfor handling as a unit a plurality of articles arranged in a circular series having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface comprising a lower fixture having an annular groove therein within which A may be located and supported a circular series of articles; an upper fixture and means for locating the upper fixture in fixed relation to the lower fixture and circular series of articles thereon; vsaid upper fixture comprising a first member having a downwardly extending circular flange for engaging one of said peripheral surfaces of said plurality of circularly arranged articles, a collapsible tube of elastic material havowerriiixtire' having :arf an;

ing a shape conforming generally-withthe other of said peripheral surfacesbut normally out of engagement therewith, yan annulus having an arcuately shapedportion fory supporting said tube beneath the said rst member,rmechanism connected to the annulus extending upwardly through said first member and means connected to the last mentioned mechanism for raising it and the annulus and tube carried thereby to bring the tube into Contact withthe undersurface of said rst member to deform said tube so that it engages said other peripheral surface.

14. An apparatus for handling as a unit a plu.- rality of articles having aninner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface, comprising a rst member having downwardly extending means thereon for engaging one of said peripheral surfaces of said plurality of articles, an elastic member conforming generally With the other of said peripheral surfaces but normally out of engagement therewith, means for supporting said elastic memberat the underside of said first member, mechanism connected to the last mentioned means extending upwardly through said rst member and means connected to the last mentioned mechanism for raising it and the means supporting the elastic member to bring the elastic member into contact with the undersuriace of said rst member to deform the elastic member so that it engages said other peripheral surface.

MARSHALL LENTZ.

ARTHUR J. ANDERSON.

CLEAO'N WANTLAND, Exeeutri of the last will and testament cf Hubert L. Drilill, deceased.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number v 1,461,222: 1,943,483 

